キク科 | Ecological Notes Web

What are the differences between mugwort, wormwood (Artemisia princeps), bitter wormwood, and male wormwood? We'll explain how to distinguish between similar species! Did you know that mugwort is used not only in rice cakes but also in moxibustion and medicine?

Artemisia princeps, Artemisia japonica, Artemisia urticaria, and Artemisia japonica are all members of the Artemisia genus in the Asteraceae family, and are extremely common perennial herbs that dominate small vacant lots from urban areas to mountainous fields. In addition to having a cottony, fluffy underside to its leaves, it belongs to the Asteraceae family...

2026.04.10

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What's the difference between Tenningiku and Otenningiku? We'll explain how to distinguish between these similar species! Actually, telling them apart is quite difficult...?

Both *Lysimachia japonica* and *Lysimachia japonica* are herbaceous plants belonging to the genus *Lysimachia* in the Asteraceae family. They are characterized by their spherical or convex receptacle and the bicolored ray florets. Due to their beautiful colors, they are sometimes cultivated for ornamental or landscaping purposes...

2025.05.01

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What are the differences between Menamomi, Komenamomi, and Onamomi? We explain how to distinguish between similar species! The mucus-secreting bracts are for sticking to animals!?

Both *Menamomi* and *Komenamomi* belong to the genus *Menamomi* in the Asteraceae family. Their most distinctive features are their small, yellow ray florets and the presence of stalked glandular hairs on their involucral bracts. While not particularly common, both species grow in open areas, and *Menamomi* in particular was historically used by the Japanese as a fermented food. However...

2025.02.25

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What are the differences between butterbur, leopard plant, and large leopard plant? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

フキ・ツワブキ・オオツワブキはいずれもキク科に含まれ、心形（ハート形）～腎形（腎臓のような形）の葉をつける点はよく似ており、食用になる点も共通しています。日本ではどちらも古くから利用されてきた経緯があるので混同する人がいるかも知れません。し...

2024.04.24

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ノボロギク・ベニバナボロギク・ダンドボロギクの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説

ノボロギク・ベニバナボロギク・ダンドボロギクはいずれもキク科サワギク連（キオン連）に含まれ、「ボロギク」という名前が付く外来の雑草です。頭花（頭状花序）が筒状花のみで構成されている点も大きな特徴と言えるでしょう。これら3種は名前が似ているた...

2024.04.13

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ウィンターコスモスとコスモスの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説！実はキクザキセンダングサは別物だった！？

ウィンターコスモス（ウインターコスモス）は園芸で観賞用に栽培され、花期は9〜12月と冬に咲くことからガーデニングで重宝されている植物です。一見、コスモスと名前が似ていることから混同する人もいるかもしれません。しかし、総苞片・花・果実を確認す...

2024.02.07

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What are the differences between Bidens pilosa, Bidens frondosa, Bidens pilosa, and Bidens serrata? An explanation of how to distinguish between similar species.

Bidens pilosa, Bidens frondosa, Bidens pilosa, and Bidens serrata are all annual plants belonging to the Bidens genus of the Asteraceae family. Their most distinctive feature in relation to humans is that their fruits are "burrs." They grow along roadsides and around bodies of water, clinging to animal fur and human clothing...

2023.11.06

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セイタカアワダチソウ・アキノキリンソウ・ミヤマアキノキリンソウの違いは？キリンソウとの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説

セイタカアワダチソウ・アキノキリンソウ・ミヤマアキノキリンソウはいずれもキク科アキノキリンソウ属に含まれ、秋に小さめの黄色い花（正確には頭花）を咲かせる代表的な多年草です。特にセイタカアワダチソウは地域によっては大繁殖するため、よく知られて...

2023.11.05

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キンケイギク・オオキンケイギク・ハルシャギク・ホソバハルシャギクの違いは？キバナコスモスとの違いは？似た種類の見分け方を解説

キンケイギク・オオキンケイギク・ハルシャギク・ホソバハルシャギクはいずれもキク科ハルシャギク属に含まれ、特徴は少ないものの、「非常に派手な黄色の一重咲き～二重咲きのキク」という印象を受ける一年草または越年草です。特にオオキンケイギクは特定外...

2023.10.10

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What are the differences between cosmos, yellow cosmos, chocolate cosmos, and marigolds? We explain how to distinguish between similar varieties.

Cosmos, yellow cosmos, and chocolate cosmos all belong to the Cosmos genus of the Asteraceae family. Although they are introduced species in Japan, they have become representative autumn landscape plants, as evidenced by their alternative name, "autumn cherry blossom," and are widely cultivated. They are characterized by their large, beautiful ray florets and achenes...

2023.10.06

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